The top regulator for the nation’s Farm Credit banks says while agricultural loan quality has deteriorated somewhat, it’s too early to know whether producers will need additional Market Facilitation Program payments for 2020. (Agri-Pulse)

Farmers continue to feel an economic pinch caused by lower commodity prices and higher input costs. (FarmWeekNow)

China has promised to buy more farm commodities in their phase one trade agreement. And that takes Washington off the hook from the billions it has spent helping farms impacted from China closing its market to them, particularly soy farmers. That aid money ends in February. Farmers think it should remain. (Forbes)  

For farmers with base acres and eligibility to participate in Title I commodity safety net programs, the deadline for election and enrollment of covered commodities such as corn, soybeans, wheat, seed cotton, rice and peanuts into Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage is quickly approaching. The cutoff date for completing the program election and enrollment process for the 2019 crop year is March 16, and the closing date for the 2020 crop year is June 30. (Farm Bureau)

The Trump administration has delivered its proposed budget for the 2021 Fiscal Year to Congress. Without any surprise, it was described as “dead on arrival.” (Herald & Review)

Generational farms are slowly fading away as the younger generation choose other jobs. Some military veterans, on the other hand, are finding their way into the farm industry. Current veterans are pushing for others to follow. (WQAD)